Seven Springs, Sauvignon Blanc 2010, South Africa
English couple Tim and Vaughan Pearson first approached me a couple of years ago at the London International Wine Fair and told me about the dream project, having bought 13 hectares of land in the picturesque Overberg region of South Africa in 2006, with the idea of making premium wines. Since then Tim has kept me up to date with progress, and his excitement about this, the first ever release from Seven Springs, was palpable. Winemaker Riana van der Merwe has made a Sauvignon in a very crisp, elegant style. The nose is not flashy or showy, with intense green fruit, a light seasoning of nettles, and plenty of lemony and mineral cut. On the palate this is mouth-wateringly lucid and dry, the fresh green apple and lemon zest fruit just betraying hints of a more luscious, more peachy character beneath, and the texture filling out slightly on the mid-palate thanks to some ageing on the lees. Finishing with food-friendly freshness and a dry elegance, this is a terrific first effort. Around 10 from barwines.co.uk, underwoodwines.co.uk, proteaswines.co.uk.
